Old Fort Niagara: French and Indian War Encampment set for July 5-7

by jmaloni

Sat, Jun 29th 2013 07:00 am

On
July 9, 1759, Capt. Walter Rutherford entered French-held Fort Niagara and
demanded the fort's surrender. He set in motion a chain of events that would
forever change the history of the Niagara region and all of North America.

Old
Fort Niagara in Youngstown will recreate the dramatic events of the summer of
1759 on July 5-7 during the historic site's annual French and Indian War
Encampment. The three-day event will feature two battle re-enactments each day,
18th century artisans, music, living history programs and many other
activities.

The
event, now in its 34th year, brings hundreds of authentically clad and
equipped re-enactors to the fort to recreate the 19-day siege that ended French
occupation of Western New York. Event participants portray Native American
warriors as well as French and British soldiers who clashed over the strategic
outpost at the Niagara's mouth 254 years ago.

French
troops and their Native allies will occupy the fort and its labyrinth of
earthen fortifications while British soldiers and their Native allies camp
outside the fort. Beginning Friday, the British will assault the fort each day
at 3 p.m. until the stronghold capitulates on Sunday afternoon.

Other
programs earlier in the day will help visitors experience frontier life during
the mid-18th century. A skirmish each morning at 11 a.m. will
demonstrate frontier battle tactics, culminating in a re-enactment of the Battle
of La Belle Famille on 11 a.m. Sunday. The event also includes military
pageantry, uniform and clothing programs, musket and cannon firings, fur
trading demonstrations, 18th century children's games and Native
American councils.

Inside
the fort, 18th century sutlers and artisans will establish a tent
city where visitors have the opportunity to purchase period wares and see
demonstrations of skills like blacksmithing, woodworking and soap making.

The
French and Indian War was fought between 1754-60, two decades before the
American Revolution. Under the terms of the treaty that ended the war, Britain
took control of Canada and Great Lakes region. The war's cost led to new taxes
on the king's American subjects that spawned political unrest in the 13
colonies. Colonists like George Washington gained their first military
experience during the conflict; experience that would serve them well during
the subsequent war for American independence.

Old
Fort Niagara's French and Indian War Encampment is the world's largest annual
commemoration of this critical event in the history of North America. It is
also the fort's largest event of the year, attracting hundreds of re-enactors
and thousands of spectators. More information about the event, including a
schedule of activities, is available on the fort's website at www.oldfortniagara.org.
Admission to the encampment is $13 per person. Children ages 5 and under are admitted
free.